壓力是一種殊榮

我想告訴孩子們，「壓力是一種殊榮」

真的非常榮幸被選為「青少年總統盃國際隊的隊長」，也覺得責任重大。能擔任青少年總統盃國際隊的隊長，對我來說意義非凡。當你代表的不只是自己，而是整個隊伍，甚至是這些孩子背後所有的國家時，那種感覺特別不一樣。我自己也穿過國際隊的隊服，所以特別能體會這些年輕球員的心情。這場比賽會是他們有機會第一次真正站上世界性的舞台，胸前繡著國際隊的旗幟，聽著觀眾為自己的隊伍歡呼，我非常興奮與期待能在歷史悠久的Medinah高爾夫鄉村俱樂部帶領他們經歷這美好的一切。

It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be named captain of the International Team for the Junior Presidents Cup. When you are called to represent your team and, in a way, your continent and the countries these kids come from, it’s always a special experience. I’ve worn the International colors myself in the Presidents Cup, so I know exactly what this moment means to a young player. This event will give these junior golfers one of their first real chances to compete on a global stage, with the flags on their chests and the crowd cheering for their team. I’m thrilled to lead them through this opportunity at a historic venue like Medinah Country Club.

團體賽跟個人賽完全是兩回事。你打的每一桿、每一推，都不只是為自己，也關乎隊友、隊長和整個國際隊大家庭。2019年在皇家墨爾本，在我們的主場，主場觀眾對國際隊的支持讓人熱血沸騰。那種一起拼、一起扛的感覺，我一輩子都忘不了。我想告訴這些孩子：「壓力是一種殊榮」。當你們站在開幕式第一洞發球台，看著國際隊旗幟飄揚，那就是高爾夫最迷人的時刻。無論結果如何，這份記憶會伴隨這些選手們一生。

The biggest thing I learned is that team golf is different from anything else we do on tour. You’re not just playing for yourself; every shot, every putt, every decision affects your teammates ,your captain and the whole International Team. In 2019 at Royal Melbourne, I felt the energy of the home crowd for the International Team; it was electric. we were the underdogs, but the way we fought together was something I’ll never forget. I want these kids to understand that pressure is a privilege here. When they step on the first tee in that opening ceremony, with the International flags rising, that feeling is what golf is all about. Win or lose, they’ll carry that for the rest of their lives.

國際隊在總統盃歷史上長期處於下風，但我相信這絕對是選手們的動力！當大家都覺得你會輸的時候，反而能徹底放開手腳。美國隊的孩子天賦出眾、資源豐富，這是事實，但國際隊的孩子們帶著另一種武器：飢餓感、為國家爭光的驕傲，以及“不服輸”的精神。我要讓他們把這種身份當成勳章，去擁抱身為國際隊一份子的認同。我們不只是來到Medinah參賽，我們要去戰鬥，去告訴全世界：國際隊高爾夫的下一代已經準備好了。

The International Team has historically been the underdog in the Presidents Cup. The mindset of being the underdog frees you up. The American kids are incredibly talented; they grow up with every resource imaginable. But our International players bring something different: hunger, pride in representing countries that don’t always get the spotlight, and a chip on their shoulder in the best way possible. I want them to embrace that identity. We’re not coming to Medinah just to participate ; we’re coming to compete and to show the world that the next generation of International golf is ready to take over.

在台灣長大，我打過很多亞太區青少年賽事，但真正讓我“長高十呎”的，是2019年第一次穿上繡著國際隊logo隊服的那一刻。我希望我們的12個孩子在扣上隊服鈕扣的時候，也能瞬間覺得自己屬於那個大舞台——因為他們本來就屬於那裡！

I grew up in Taiwan playing in Asia-Pacific events, and I still remember the first time I put on a jacket with “International” on it in 2019, and I felt ten feet tall. That’s what I want for these kids: the moment they zip up their team uniform, I want them to feel like they belong on that stage. Because they do.

我希望我的隊員們盡情享受那一週的每一秒！把開幕式刻進心裡，與隊友一同揮灑汗水、用力和隊友擊掌、把嗓子喊啞、相互鼓勵。這一週會過得比他們想像的快，十年後他一定會想再回到青少年總統盃在Medinah的第一洞發球台，他們也會永遠記得與每一位隊友共度的精彩時刻。放開打、勇敢打，無論比賽結果如何。Go International !

Enjoy every second. Soak in the opening ceremony, high-five your teammates after every match, cheer louder than anyone in the crowd. This week will fly by, and ten years from now you’ll wish you could step back onto that first tee at Medinah one more time. Play hard, play fearless, and know that your captain and the entire International golf community are proud of you no matter what the scoreboard says at the end. Let’s go make some noise. Go International !

CT Pan 潘政琮